LaLota and Levin Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Voters

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County), the former Elections Commissioner for Suffolk County, and Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.) introduced the bipartisan Uncheck the Box Act. This bill would make it illegal for political campaigns to use pre-checked boxes to solicit recurring contributions.

“As the former Suffolk County Elections Commissioner, I've prioritized integrity, transparency, and accountability in our political system. Pre-checking the box for recurring contributions is deceptive and unethical and it undermines democratic principles,” said LaLota. “Americans should freely choose their contributions without coercion or trickery and ending automatic recurring contributions is vital to restoring trust in our politics.  This bipartisan legislation is a step in the right direction”

“Politicians can’t claim to be fighting for their constituents while simultaneously swindling them out of their money, but that’s exactly what’s happening in many cases,” said Levin. “Unfortunately, too many Americans, especially seniors, have been deceived into contributing thousands of dollars to political campaigns through dirty tricks. Removing pre-checked boxes is a bipartisan issue, and I’m hopeful members of both parties will work with me and Rep. LaLota to pass this bill as soon as possible to save Americans money.”

To read the full text of the legislation, click HERE.

Background:

Before his election to Congress, LaLota served as the Elections Commissioner for Suffolk County from 2015-2022, overseeing every aspect of local, state, and federal elections conducted in the County.

The bipartisan Uncheck the Box Act would prohibit a person from soliciting a recurring contribution to a political committee, independent expenditure, or any electioneering communication that does not require the contributor to provide affirmative consent; reaffirm that a passive action, such as failing to uncheck a pre-checked box, is not considered affirmative consent to pay recurring contributions; and require the political committee, independent expenditure, or electioneering communication to provide a receipt clearly and conspicuously disclose all terms of the recurring contribution, including the date and amount of the next payment; include the information the contributor needs to cancel any subsequent contributions in all communications; and immediately cancel all subsequent contributions upon request.

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